read someone the riot act
Say it: read someone the RYE-uht akt /ˌriːd ˌsʌmwʌn ðə ˈraɪət ˌækt/ · idiom
What “read someone the riot act” means
Sternly tell someone to stop behaving badly.
More precisely: To angrily warn or scold someone that they must stop behaving badly.
When to use it
When giving someone a serious telling-off and warning them to stop. Informal and forceful, often about repeated bad behaviour.
Similar words
reprimand, tell off, lay down the law
Where it comes from
From Britain's Riot Act of 1714, read aloud to order crowds to disperse.
Quick check
After your teammate repeatedly cheats, you angrily warn them to stop or leave the club. Which phrase fits?
give someone a heads-up or read someone the riot act?
Show the answer
read someone the riot act
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